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Compliments of the Hospitality Committee 
of the Iris Club, to the Delegates of the State 
Federation of Pennsylvania Women, October 
18th, 19th and 20th, 1904. Lancaster, Penn"a. 



The Hospitality Committee gratefully acknowledges 
its indebtedness to Miss Martha Bladen Clark, 
one of its members, for her kind efforts in compiling 
this little booklet for presentation to our guests 
of the State Federation of Pennsylvania Women. 



AS people from every part of 
trie State, including a no less 
personage than Miss McKnight, our 
konored President, trace their an- 
cestry to the old county of Lancas- 
ter, we have thought, in extending 
a most cordial welcome to the club 
women of Pennsylvania, that they 
would be interested in "old " rather 
than "new" Lancaster- the result 
is this little book. 









Gift. 
26 '04 



Lancaster 
County. 



Lancaster Count} 7 was organized May 10, 1729, 
by an Act of Gov. Patrick Gordon, and the Pro- 
vincial Assembly, and taken from the upper part 
of Chester County. John Wright, the first Judge, named the new 
county Lancaster, after his native town in England. John Postle- 
thwait established a Trading Post in Conestoga Township, near Con- 
estoga Creek. He built the historic tavern where the first Courts of 
the county were held; and there the original townships were named 
and their boundaries defined. A log Court House and Jail were 
also erected, but in May, 1730, Lancaster was chosen as the 
countv seat. 



The First 

Settlers in 

Lancaster Co. 



In 1709, 

several Swiss 

Menonnites, 

whose ances- 
tors had settled in the Palatinate, 
emigrated to Pennsylvania and 
settled in what is now known as 
Lancaster County. Hans Herr 
was their clergyman. Later 
came the Huguenots, and then 
the Scotch-Irish in 1715; about 
the same time the Quakers, with 
the Welsh Episcopalians in 1717. 

The oldest house in Lancaster County was built in 1719, by Rev. 
Christian Herr. 

3 




HANS HERR. 



—., ,— r The site of Lancaster was once an Indian 

The Town of 
, . settlement, Hickory Town, Gibson's Pastures, 

and Indian Town, being the original names. 
The Indian Nation was called Hickory, and they often met in 
Council and elected delegates to confer with William Penn at 
Shackamaxon. Andrew Hamilton of Philadelphia, the noted 
Scotch lawyer, who with others built Independence Hall, was 
the original owner of the Hamilton grant of land, but later trans- 
ferred his claim to his son James, who had it surveyed and laid out 
the town in 1730. James Hamilton was prominent in provincial 
affairs, serving for a number of years as Lieut. -Governor, and also 
holding the office of Prothonotary. He died in New York, August 
14, 1788. Lancaster was chartered as a' Borough, May 1, 1742; 
Thomas Crokson appointed the Chief Burgess. Chartered as a 
City, March 20, 1818; John Passmore elected Mayor. 

The names of the streets adopted in Provincial times still exist. 
and when we hear of King and Queen, Duke and Prince streets, 
we cannot forget how royalty owned us in the long ago. 

In 1800 Lancaster was known as the largest inland town in the 
United States. 

The first Court House in Lancaster City was 
built in 1737, where the Monument now stands 
erected to the memory of the Soldiers of Lan- 
caster county who fell in the Civil War. In 1744 an important 
conference was held here between the Governors of Maryland, Vir- 
ginia, New York and Pennsylvania, and numerous representatives 
of Indian Tribes.. 

_, . The Reformed Church dates back to 1736, when 

a log house of worship was built. 

St. James' (Prot. Episcopal) parish was organ- 
ized in 1744. The church building was erected in 1750. 

Trinity Lutheran Church was founded about 1730; the first 
church, a log chapel, being replaced in 17<il by the present edifice. 
St. Mary's (Roman Catholic) was built in 1762. 

5 



The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1763 and the house 
"built in 1770. 

The Moravian Church was built in 1746. 

George Washington was first called the "Father of his Coun- 
try" in a German Almanac printed in Lancaster by Francis Bailey, 
in 1779. 




MAJOR ANDRE. 

Many prisoners of war were confined in Lancaster 
Prisoners 

before and during the Kevolution, including Hessians 

' " captured from Howe's army in the battles of Prince- 

ton and Trenton. It is said as many as 2000 were here at one time, 
with their wives and children. The officers were quartered at the 
public houses and the soldiers in the barracks, at the corner of 
Duke and Walnut streets and on Middle street. 

Major Andre was among the prisoners captured by Gen. Mont- 
gomery, Nov. 3, 1775; and he with other officers became inmates 
of the house of Caleb Cope, a prominent Quaker who had been 
elected burgess of Lancaster in 1774. 



James Buchanan, the fifteenth Presi- 
dent of the United States, was born in 
Franklin county, Pa., April 23, 1791; 
died June 1, 1868. Wheatland, his 
home, is a spot of national reputation 
and a beautiful suburb of Lancaster. 
The remains of the President lie in 
Woodward Hill Cemetery. 

Robert Fulton, the man who first 
successfully applied steam to naviga- 
tion, was born in Fulton township, 
Lancaster Co., in 1765. He attended 
school in Lancaster. The house where he was born is still standing 
and is one of our historic spots, as Lancaster cannot boast of a 
more distinguished man. 




JAMES BUCHANAN. 



Old 
Inns. 



Lancaster had many 

famous Hostelries in 

the olden time. "A 
fine gentleman and haughty were 
the landlords." Inn-keepers of 
long ago were often men of prom- 
inence and intelligence. "The 
Grape" was built in 1741. Dur- 
ing the Revolution the Supreme 
Executive Council of Pennsylva- 
nia, and also the Committees of 
Correspondence and Observation, 
met at this noted Inn. Tradition 
says General Washington was a 
guest at The Grape when in Lan- 
caster. James Buchanan always 
made it his headquarters. 

The "Cross Keys" was licensed in 1730, and was the resort 
the Quakers. 

9 




THE GRAPE. 



of 



The "Swan " at the Southeast corner of South Queen and Centre 
Square was owned by Jacob Slough, 1747. In Vi 81, Matthias 
Slough was landlord. He was a member of the Committee of 
Observation in 1774; a member of the Assembly from 1774-1783, 
and also a Colonel in the Militia of the Revolutionary War. 

In 1800, Henry Slaymaker was the proprietor of "The State 
Arms." Gen. Lafayette stopped here when he visited Lancaster 
in 1825. 

Besides the above: "The Leopard," "Fountain Inn," "The 
Cat, " "The William Pitt, " "The King of Prussia, " "The Wil- 
low Grove," "TheBird-in-Hand," "Gen. Wayne," "The Bear," 
"The Rainbow," "The Red Lion," "The Ship," "White Horse," 
and the "Buck." 

The Hardware Store of Steinman Hardware Company, was 
founded in 1760. 

Christopher Demuth in 1770 began the sale of Tobacco and Snuff. 

Carl Heinrich Heinitsh established a Drug Store in 1782. 

Adam Reigart opened a Wine- Store in 1785. 

During the Revolution, Lancaster was noted as a manufacturing 
town. Paul Zantzinger did a large business in the making of cloth- 
ing for the soldiers. In 1777 he furnished Anthony Wayne with 
650 suits of uniform. In 1754 Gov. Pownall, writing of a visit to 
Lancaster in his journal, mentions the manufactories of guns and 
shoes. 

The earliest newspaper was published in 1752, and there was a 
daily paper printed as early as 1811. 



_, , ,. , ., ... The Act incorporating Franklin 

Franklin and Marshall ^ ,, -, , ,-, n i 

College was passed by the General 

° ' Assembly of Pennsylvania, on the 

10th of March, 1789. Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Governor of the 

State, came to Lancaster to lay the corner-stone of the College that 

was to bear his name. Franklin College continued its existence 

until 1852, when new life was brought to it in the removal of Mar- 
io 




GEORGE ROSS. 
The Lancaster Signer of the Declaration of Independence. 



shall College from Mercersburg to Lancaster, the union of these 
institutions forming Franklin and Marshall College. 

John Williamson Nevin, D.D., LL.D., born in Franklin county, 
Pa., February 20, 1803, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and reared a 
Presbyterian, was President of Marshall College and later of Frank- 
lin and Marshall College. He was one of the greatest teachers in 
Pennsylvania, the author of many works on theology, also a lead- 
ing divine of wide reputation. Died June 6, 1886, in his 84th 
year. 

Miss Alice Nevin, the promoter and organizer of the Iris Club, 
serving as President for a number of years with much credit and 
zeal, was the daughter of Dr. Nevin. 

Pack horses were first used as means of trans- 
** portation, in ye olden times, and the bridle paths 

** " were often the trails of the Indian. It is not known 

who first made a Conestoga Wagon, but it is given to Lancaster 
county, in the Valley of the Conestoga Creek to claim the honor. 
A fine breed of horses in early days was raised here. These 
teams, with their powerful draught horses, always attracted much 
attention and were the special pride of the owners. The Conestoga 
Wagon of the Revolution was far superior to anything of that date 
in England, and it is said, was the finest wagon the world ever saw. 
They were often called " Ships of Inland Commerce." 

Benjamin Franklin procured for Braddock, in 1755, in York and 
Lancaster counties one hundred and fifty wagons and fifteen hun- 
dred pack horses for the use of the army. 

, To the East of Lancaster, crossing the Conestoga, 

K . , we find one of the oldest, largest, and most pictur- 

esque bridges in the country. It was built by the 
enterprise of one individual. The following inscription tells its 
history : " Erected by Abraham Witmer, 1799-1800. A law of the 
Enlightened Commonwealth, passed April 4, 1798. Sanctioned 
by Thomas Mifflin, Governor. Monument of the Public Spirit 
of an Individual." 

12 



Distinguished Men 
in Lancaster Co. 



Dr. David Ramsey, called the "Father 
of American History," was born in Lan- 
caster county, April 2, 1749, and during 
the illness of John Hancock, was President pro tern, of the Conti- 
nental Congress. 

Gen. Edward Hand, the friend 
of Washington, and a hero of the 
Revolution, was born in Ireland, 
Dec. 31, 1744; died at Rockford, 
Lancaster county, Sept. 3, 1802. 

George Ross lived in Lancaster, 
a stained-glass window in St. 
James Church commemorates his 
memory, as does a tablet which 
bears the following inscription: 
" Here stood the house of George 
Ross, Signer of the Declaration of 
Independence, born 1730, died 
1779. Lawyer, Statesman, Pa- 
triot." 

Thomas Mifflin, Esq., Major- 
General of the Revolutionary War, and late Governor of the State 
of Pennsylvania. "Died January 19, 1800," marks his resting- 
place in the front wall of the Trinity Lutheran Church. 

Also a tablet to Thomas Wharton, Jr., first President of the 
Supreme Executive Council. "Died in office, greatly lamented, 
May 23, 1778." 

William Henry, President-Judge of Common Pleas Court and 
prominent in military affairs, member of the Continental Congress 
from Lancaster, was the friend of Benjamin West who painted the 
"Death of Socrates" when fourteen years of age, at his home. 
Thomas Paine was also his frequent guest, and, it is said, wrote the 
"Crisis" over the signature of "Common Sense" when in this city. 

Judge John Joseph Henry was the son of William Henry, was 




GEN. EDWARD HAND. 




MONUMENT TO GENERAL REYNOLDS. 



appointed Judge by Gov. Mifflin in December, 1793, of the Second 
Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and held the position for seven- 
teen years. 

Major-Gen. John Fulton Reynolds, whose imposing monument 
can be seen in the Lancaster Cemetery, was born in this city in 
1820. On the opening day of the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 
1863, he fell mortally wounded. 



, • • u The Right Rev. Samuel Bowman, 

Jl Christian is the D>D e]ected Assistant Bishop of 

Highest Style of Man." Permsylvank) May 16> 1858 . Was 

rector of St. James' P. E. Church for thirty years. He was born 
in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the son of a Revolutionary soldier, died 
August 3, 1861. Mural tablets to his memory are erected in the 
churches of St. James and St. John. Bishop Bowman left monu- 
ments more enduring than marble shafts, mural tablets and me- 
morial windows to attest the zeal and efficiency with which he 
labored in the cause he loved. 

The Rev. Bernard Keenan, a native of Ireland, was pastor of 
St. Mary's Catholic Church for a period of fifty-four years. A life 
so full of good deeds in his church, and as a citizen of Lancaster 
taking an interest in its advancement, that at the age of 97, on 
February 19, 1877, he died honored by all, irrespective of creed. 

Rev. John C. Baker, D.D., was born May 7, 1792, in Philadel- 
phia and preached his first sermon as pastor of Trinity Lutheran 
Church this city, January 27, 1828. He was a man of fine pres- 
ence and attractive personality, zealous in good works and un- 
wearied in his pastoral duties. February 10, 1828, the first Sunday- 
School was organized upon motion of Dr. Baker. He was equally 
eloquent in both the German and Engligh language, and the faith- 
ful pastor of Trinity Church for twenty-five years. He died April 
21, 1859. 




1. 

9 



RIGHT REW SAMUEL BOWMAN. 
REV. JOHN C. BAKER. 
REV. BERNARD KEENAN. 



The German Religious Sect of Seventh Day 
Cloisters at Bapt j sts at Ephrata, so called because they ob- 
Ephrata. serve( j the seventh instead of the first day of the 
week now called the Sabbath day. This Society was founded in 
1733, by John Conrad Beissel of Germany. Both the Brothers and 
Sisters adopted the Capuchin habit; all took monastic names, and 
lived in Cloisters built on the banks of the Cocalico. Music was 
cultivated; a printing-press was set up and was one of the earliest 
in the State; nearly one hundred books were printed here. After 
the battle, of Brandy wine four hundred sick and wounded soldiers 
were sent here and nursed by the Brothers and Sisters. A beautiful 
granite shaft marks the spot where two hundred soldiers are buried. 




CALEB COPE'S HOUSE. 



HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE. 



Helen Koues Reynolds (Mrs. Geo. Nelson Reynolds), Chairman. 
Mary N. Robinson (Mrs.), Secretary. 
Miss Agnes Kelly, Treasurer. 
Miss Alice Nevin. 

Sallie S. Franklin (Mrs. George M. ). 
Katharine Schroeder Swarr (Mrs. C. J.). 
Annie E. Rengier (Mrs. Charles F. ). 
Mary E. McCarter (Mrs. Henry G.). 
Mary S. P. C. Baumgardner (Mrs.). 
Emma Spencer (Mrs. S. S.). 
Mary Stewart Oblinger (Mrs. J. B. ) 
Miss Mary E. Steinman. 
Miss Lydia Diller. 
Miss Martha Bladen Clark. 



Woman has borne her part in all the land-marks of history. 
Tis her province to cherish ; while she is of the world, the world s 
history will not perish. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 366 526 4 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 366 526 4 * 



